We are inventorying current research on the topic of former Finnish Karelia and the historical  and present  consequences of the wartime events in Karelia. Our aim is to collect new articles for an anthology.

In Finland Karelia is a charged subject with, even, mythical dimensions. What remains to be done is to look at these issues with a critical eye. We are interested in exploring how notions of Karelia or of being Karelian are expressed in current research, in investigating the images of Karelia that are discovered or produced in the research process. We are, in addition, interested in uncovering forgotten or suppressed areas of research.

For this anthology, we have chosen a point of view which stresses the role of the researcher. We wish you to reflect on your relationship with Karelia itself as well as research on and popular opinion about Karelia. Your possible contribution does not have to be restricted to Karelia-studies as such. We are also interested in knowing your reservations in relation to the nationalistic aspects of Karelia studies. Do you smile at this tradition, are you sceptical to the subject as a whole? Or, rather, are you enthusiastic because of the challenges this subject offers to the humanities?

What is my concept of Karelia?

Why and how do I study Karelia?

What particular perspectives, commitments and goals are linked with my research on Karelia?

For whom and to whom do I write?

What is the epistemological framework and the concept of culture which underpins my research?

What are the images of Karelia that I produce or reproduce?

What influence does my research have?

Is Karelia itself called into question?

Existing research on Karelia has been quite limited in terms of perspectives and methods. Scientific studies have favoured the northern areas and, on the Russian side, eastern Karelia. In these studies, the burden of nationalistic interests and patriotic conceptions have been extensive. There is a clear need to identify and reflect upon the processes of for example classifying material in the national archives, as well as the production of truth and knowledge based upon these sources. Current developments in, for example, ethnography (Maffesoli) have focussed such issues as mentalities, utopian notions, ethnoidentities and (new) Karelianism. Likewise the geography  physical and mental  is changing: new places, urban and suburban, virtual places and associations, What doors are opened by the latest research?

Invitation is open to all who do research on Karelia and to those who are otherwise interested in the subject. We have already asked keynote articles based on identity, memory place and nationalism.
We would like to receive the abstracts by the end of March.

Please include in the abstract:

Academic title, university affiliation, and areas of research

A preliminary title and description of the contents of your proposed article

After we have received all proposals, we will continue negotiations with the publisher. The articles should be ready by the end of September, unless our contacts with the publisher call for a different timetable.

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